Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Kubla Kahn hat pattern

This hat is meant to be oversized without falling off of your head too easily. For example my head (locks included) measures 25 inches (humm, did it get bigger?) and my hat's circumference is 26 inches. Mind you, maybe my locks provide enough traction to keep the hat from slipping around. The decreases can be done in two circular needles or double pointed needles (DPNs), it's up to you.

ABBREVIATIONS / STITCHESSt: stitches1x1 rib: *k1, p1* , repeat * * pattern until end of roundSsk: Slip one, k1, pass the slipped st over the knitted stSt stich: stockinette st (since this is worked in the round it means knit)K: knitINSTRUCTIONSLoosely cast on 54 (58 – 62) sts on one circular needle. Place a marker, join and knit in the round in 1x1 rib until brim measures 9 inches (23 cm) (don't worry, it has to be folded twice). Knit the next round in the St stich. Next round: ssk, k 25 (27 29), ssk, knit until the end of the round. Knit until the hat measures 13 (14 - 14) inches (33 (35,5 – 35,5) cm) from the first row. Shaping:

On the Circular needles: slip half of the stiches on the other circular needles ie. 26 (28 – 30) sts on each needle. *Ssk, k 11 (12 – 13), place marker* repeat * * pattern until end of round (of course the fourth st marker is also going to be the marker that indicates the beginning of the round). Next round, *ssk, k to st marker*, repeat * * until you have 4 stitches left. Break yarn leaving an 8 inch tail and using the tapestry needle, slip the yarn through the live sts and pull tight. Weave the leftover yarn inside the hat.

If you prefer to work on the DPNs, then just slip all of the sts evenly on the DPNs ie 13 (14 – 15) sts on each needle. Put a st marker at the beginning of the round. Next round, *ssk, knit until the end of the needle*, repeat * * until you have 4 stitches left. Break yarn leaving an 8 inch tail and using the tapestry needle, slip the yarn through the live sts and pull tight. Weave the leftover yarn inside the hat.

Finishing:

Fold up the brim twice, making sure you have 1 inch of the rib inside of the hat (ie the brim will 4 inches deep). Cut four 8 inches long pieces of yarn and tie the top of the brim evenly around the inside of the hat (that way it won't come undone as you take off and put the hat back on). And that's all there is to it.